Labour strike: Minister appeals to NLC to shelve strike, secures release of detained NURTW members

By Mathew Denis, Abuja

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong has appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to shelve its planned strike.

The Minister spoke when he received Alhaji Ibikunle Baruwa, who led a team of four members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on a thank-you visit.

The NURTW appreciated the Minister for securing the release of some of their members, who were arrested two weeks ago by government agents.

Speaking, the Minister assured Nigerian workers that the government will soon conclude the issue of wage award.

A statement issued in Abuja yesterday by Olajide Oshundun, Director, Press and Public Relations Unit, Ministry of Labour and Employment, stated that, “He (Lalong) maintained that industrial harmony remains key to the socio-economic development of any nation, and urged the Union to work in synergy with the Federal Government in moving the country forward.

“Lalong noted that securing the release of the detained NURTW members was one of the demands of NLC at last week’s meeting between the Congress and the Ministers of Labour and Employment.

“He assured them that the processes leading to the fulfilment of the other requests of the NLC, especially wage award, were on course, and would be concluded soon.

“The Minister therefore called on the NLC not to embark on their planned strike, and allow government work to resolve all pending issues.”

The statement further added: “In the same vein, Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, appealed to the NURTW factions to maintain peace, as the Ministry wades into their dispute for amicable resolution.”